Recently i bought a bring back Beretta 38/42. It’s in beautiful condition and i got a great deal on it. My question is about the barrel. It does not have the fluted barrel it has the smooth one. The finish is all original throughout but the barrel is not numbered. Just trying to figure out why. Tia Vin
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Beretta 38/42 smooth bbl
Possibly it could be a 38/43 with the smooth bbl. I have trouble trying to find information on the difference 38 and 38 a. I get conflicting answers about the bayonet lug. Some say it was on 38 and others say it was on the 38a. Seems like the 38 had more changes then a womans mind. -
I have a 38/43 & it has the smooth barrel.
What kind of receiver do you have on yours, the machined type or the tube type?Comment
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I have the tube type receiver. I have seen smooth barrels on the 38/42 as well as the fluted. Some i see are numbered to match the gun others are not. The Italians discontinued the fluted barrel to simplify the mfg. i know of a 38/42 with a smooth barrel that is numbered to match the receiver serial number. Confusing to say the least.Originally posted by STG44 View PostComment
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Yes there a lots of variations when it comes to these, different receivers, barrels, bolts, recoil assemblies, etc. I have own probably a half dozen or so they all are great shooting guns. Right now I have a 38a & a 38/43, I have lots of spare parts for the trigger group if you ever need any. Also cleaning kits & I may have an extra jump case.Comment
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Ty Sounds good send an email to me at vdifabbio@fullerpetro.com so i can put you in my contacts. VinOriginally posted by STG44 View PostComment
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MAB 38 was an experimenbtal model that never left the factory;
First Mod. 38 A had the bayonet lug (1939-40) that was soon neglegted.
During the years there were many semplifications till the 38A44 that was the last model.
Mod. 38/41 was the first with the heavy fluted barrel, then the 38/42 with the light fluted barrel and the 38/43 with the smooth barrel.
But there were also the same semplification of the 38A, till the 38/44.
After the war the 38/44 evolved to the 38/49 and the 38/56, with the new safety.Comment
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Here is my Beretta 38 series SMG, which I believe is a model "38/43" as described above. The barrel is serial numbered (matching) to the receiver. Also, the wooden stock is matching serial numbered to the gun (and has the "UT4" proof on it).
Attached is the best photo of the SMG that I have handy at the moment . . the picture is of the WWII U. S. Army Air Corps vet who brought it back. The vet lived here locally and became a friend of mine . . . after knowing him for about 15 years he sold me the Beretta a year or so before he passed away. Great guy and I sure do miss his "war stories".Comment
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Here is my vet friend (Lt. Cary W. Salter) in his younger days . . . he flew P-51's with the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. The Beretta was actually picked up by one of the other pilots in his Fighter Squadron, who had gone out "scrounging" for souvenir firearms after the German surrender. The other pilot came back with a jeep load of rifles, pistols, etc. that he freely distributed to his squadron mates. Included in the load were two (2) of the Beretta MP's, one of which was given to my friend (who later registered it in the U.S. during the 1968 "Amnesty" registration period under the National Firearms Act of 1934).Comment
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A few years ago an aircraft collector in our area purchased a P-51D, which he had painted to match the aircraft flown by Lt. Salter in the ETO. The paint job is almost 100% accurate, except the owner insisted on having the D-Day "Invasion Stripes" painted on it. The vet always made a point to tell me that this was incorrect, as he only arrived in the ETO in December, 1944, with all of his P-51 flying being in early 1945 (so he never had "Invasion Stripes" on his P-51).
Anyway, I really enjoy seeing (and hearing) this P-51 flying over my house from time to time; it brings back great memories of my friend and makes me think about his wartime exploits of which the Beretta SMG was a part of. RIP Mr. Salter.
Ok - so would the Beretta shown in my photos be correctly referred to as a "Model MP38/43"?Comment
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Originally posted by Alan Smith View Post
Semplified bolt handle, semplified rear sight, smooth barrel,... this is one of the last produced before the 38/44 that had the new bolt assembly.Comment
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Great story Alan !! Is there any wording on your receiver or just a SN and mfg stamp. Cal 9mm up near the rear sight?Comment
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Markings on barrel re: MP38/43 #4331Comment
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